To Plan or Not to Plan Yourself: That is the Question

Once you’re engaged, it’s easy to get swept up in the magic of pretty magazine photos and Pinterest posts. However, one of the best first steps is to figure out how you will plan your wedding. It is important to set up a plan of action at the beginning. This will help you stay calm through the rest of the process.

There are a few options you can choose from: 

1. Plan it yourself
2. Hire a wedding coordinator
3. A combination of options 1 and 2. 

Plan It Yourself

This is a good way to save money; however, it also comes with more stress. If you choose to plan the wedding on your own then it is best to have a binder and a plan so you don’t become overwhelmed. You can purchase a planner/binder or create one yourself. Most planners are set for a 12-18 month engagement. You will need to adapt these if you have a shorter engagement.

Ask for help and delegate. There is a middle ground between taking on all the tasks alone and expecting your friends and relatives do it all. Ask family and friends if they are able to help and then give them tasks that that suit them.

Hire a Wedding Coordinator

Hiring a wedding coordinator will save you stress. You still have to make decisions, but you will have help with all the planning. A wedding coordinator will discuss the big picture with you, call vendors and coordinate everything from the beginning to the wedding day.

If you choose to hire a coordinator, make sure to find somebody you connect with. The coordinator will be with you through the whole wedding process. They need to see your vision and you need to work well together. You should consult testimonials from other brides, and find out how organized the coordinator is, how well they follow a budget, and if they work well with other wedding vendors.

Combining Both Options

You can also hire an event planner/consultant who can assist you in planning the wedding. They help with timelines, answer questions, and keep you on track, while you do the majority of the leg-work. This is a good way to get professional help and keep your budget on track.

Another option is a day-of-coordinator. These people meet with you a few weeks before the wedding to get a full picture of what the wedding day will entail. They then manage the wedding rehearsal and keep the wedding day organized so you can focus on the marriage and not the little details. This is the perfect option for brides who want to plan their wedding but want everyone to enjoy themselves on the wedding day with little stress.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to have your plan in place early so that your wedding planning runs smoothly.